Healthy Living

Scientists Warn Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage

by Brother Carlton 
07/18/25
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Let me tell you something that wasn’t fun.

About a year ago, I landed in the emergency room—flat on my back, sweating bullets, doubled over in pain. Not from a car wreck. Not from a fight. From a kidney stone.

Now, I try to eat clean. I read labels. I’ve been cautious about what I put in my body. But something had changed. I had recently developed a little addiction—those zero-calorie Monster Energy drinks. You know the ones. The white can. Clean design. Sugar-free. Tastes like heaven. Gives you a kick like a mule. What could go wrong?

Turns out, maybe a lot.

I can’t say for certain that Monster drinks caused my kidney stone. But based on the timing, my gut says it played a role. Those cans are loaded with erythritol and sucralose—two “no-calorie” sweeteners that I was pouring into my system daily without thinking twice.

And then, as if the universe was trying to underline the point, I stumbled on a brand-new study out of the University of Colorado Boulder that made me sit up straighter than a Marine in inspection.

“Our study adds to the evidence suggesting that non-nutritive sweeteners that have generally been purported to be safe may not come without negative health consequences,” said lead researcher Auburn Berry.

Translation: that sugar-free sweetness may come with a sour side effect—brain cell damage and vascular problems.

What the Scientists Actually Found

Here’s what they did: scientists treated human brain blood vessel cells with levels of erythritol comparable to what you’d get from drinking just one sugar-free beverage. Not five cans. One.

Within just three hours, nitric oxide—what helps your blood vessels relax and flow properly—took a nosedive. At the same time, endothelin-1, a nasty protein that makes your blood vessels tighten up like a kinked garden hose, shot way up. The body’s natural clot-busting enzyme, t-PA, slowed down. And then came the reactive oxygen species—the cellular chaos-makers. In other words, things that shouldn’t be happening inside your head were happening fast.

“Big picture, if your vessels are more constricted and your ability to break down blood clots is lowered, your risk of stroke goes up,” Berry warned.

And then, just to hammer it home, senior author Dr. Christopher DeSouza added: “For those who consume multiple servings per day, the impact, presumably, could be worse.”

Let me translate again: if you’re drinking two or three of these a day—like I was—you might be playing Russian roulette with your bloodstream.

Then Came Derek’s Story Over Coffee

This morning over coffee, my friend Derek leaned in and shared something that chilled me. One of his former employees—a young guy—died suddenly, just dropped. The speculation? A heart attack. What was he doing?

Slamming Monster drinks like water.

Derek’s theory is that it might have been a mix of lingering Covid complications and those drinks. No way to know for sure. But here's what we both agreed on: no drink is worth your life.

It’s Not Just One Study

This isn't a random fluke from one lab. In 2023, a separate clinical study tracked over 4,000 people across the U.S. and Europe. The result? Those with higher levels of erythritol in their bloodstream had a significantly higher chance of experiencing a heart attack or stroke within three years.

Think about that. Three years from now, that “healthy” energy drink could come back like a wrecking ball.

Even the researchers themselves are urging people to pay attention to what they’re consuming.

“Consumers should read nutrition labels carefully,” said DeSouza. “If a product says it’s sugar-free, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthy.”

In other words, just because it sounds guilt-free doesn’t mean it’s consequence-free.

What I’m Doing—and Maybe You Should Too

I’m no doctor, and I’m not here to give you medical advice. But I am telling you this: I’ve stopped drinking Monster Ultra. And I’m watching anything with erythritol or sucralose like a hawk.

These days, I’m sticking to water, herbal teas, and if I need a little sweetness, I use stevia or monk fruit. They may not be perfect, but they haven’t sent me to the ER yet—and that’s a good start.

And hey, I get it. That energy hit is real. But so is a stroke. So is a kidney stone. So is an early trip to the grave.

Final Thought

If you’ve ever thought, “It’s just one can,” or “There’s no sugar, so it’s safe,” let my story—and my friend Derek’s story—be a wake-up call.

I’m not writing this to scare you. I’m writing it because I care. I’ve walked through this storm and I don’t want you to.

So do yourself a favor: stay sharp, stay hydrated, and maybe—just maybe—lay off the white can.

Based on research by the University of Colorado Boulder, published July 2025 in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Also informed by a 2023 multicenter clinical study on erythritol and cardiovascular risk.

Brother Carlton ministers the gospel to various cities. Formerly a Hollywood actor, SAG member, and property cleanup expert, he now spends most of his time studying the Scriptures and helping small businesses grow more profitably using world-class tactics and strategies. He also offers inspirational speaking to help entrepreneurs and individuals achieve greater success. If you're a business owner looking to increase revenue, attract more customers, or need a dynamic speaker for your next event, contact Carlton at [email protected].  Put help in the subject line.